The power of the anointing is something most people choose to ignore for there is a cost to the anointing. The anointing is an outward symbol that a person is set aside for a specific purpose. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is a spiritual resource the enables a person to maximize their potential spiritually. But is that all?
Kingly Anointing
In modern times, King George was anointed with oil specially blended in Israel, in a private part of the coronation ceremony. Symbolically, he was being set aside as a God-appointed servant to do the specific task of reigning and to stand in defense of the faith.
Many question the significance of such a rite in the modern world, but it is still part of the symbolism of English society and in particular the coronation ceremony.
Biblical Anointing
David was anointed three times as king of Israel, a God appointed role he had to grow into. The first anointing was as a young 17-year-old shepherd boy, before he began his many years of apprenticeship, 1Samuel 16:14. He wrongly boasted of this anointing by the prophet, to his brothers, who strongly objected. David had many lessons to learn, as he was the youngest and least in the family.
The second anointing took place in Hebron many years later, by just the northern tribe of Judah, 2 Samuel 2:4. The last anointing was in Jerusalem when Israel finally accepted David as king of all Israel, 2 Samuel 5:3. This was where he finally began his God-appointed task which God had called him to all those years ago. David went on to become the greatest king Israel ever had.
Jesus Anointings
All the priests of the Old Covenant had to be especially anointed. The ministry of Jesus began publicly with His declaration of being anointed. ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. To set free those who are oppressed,’ Luke 4:18.
Jesus was reading from the book of Isaiah. Jesus made no friends with this reading and His subsequent words. They were so irate with Him they tried to throw Him off a cliff, but he passed through the middle of them.
First Physical Anointing
Jesus was anointed physically three times. The first one was near the beginning of His ministry when He sat in the house of Simon the Pharisee, Luke 7:37,38. An unnamed woman, who appears to be a prostitute, approached Jesus from behind. She wept and washed His feet with her tears, then dried them with her hair. She then anointed them from an alabaster vial of expensive ointment.
Jesus chided the Pharisee for not having offered the common curtesy of offering his guests to have their feet washed, as was the custom. The Pharisee in his heart, condemned Jesus for allowing a sinner to touch His feet.
Second Anointing
Jesus was anointed a second time at the end of His earthly ministry. It was just before He made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, six days before His crucifixion. They were seated in the home of Martha and recently resurrected Lazarus, John 12 1-6. This time it was their sister, Mary, who wiped His feet with her hair. She also used expensive ointment to anoint the Master’s feet.
Judas in particular, objected to the perceived waste of money. He was the disciple who kept the band’s purse and secretly a thief. Jesus told Judas to leave the woman alone, for she had anointed Him for the day of His burial and the bitter cup of agony He was about to endure. So great was God’s love for His people, for we are His possession, 1 Peter 2:9.
Third Anointing
Four days later Jesus was in the house of Simon the Leper in Bethany, following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Note, Jesus never spent a night in Jerusalem but always withdrew to places such as Bethany, two miles outside the city.
This time another unnamed woman broke open an alabaster box and poured it on Jesus’ head, Matthew 6:7. The disciples reflected the same sentiment as Judas. ‘To what purpose is this waste?’ Proof of how one person can contaminate many.
Jesus rebuked the disciples stating again that the anointing was in preparation for His burial. Only through the crushing and beating of our Lord and Saviour can we know eternal life, Isaiah 53:3,4.
Holy Spirit Anointing
The anointing of Jesus was for a specific purpose. Only His willingness to be broken for us allows the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
It is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, that enables believers to understand, apply and administer spiritual truth. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is a witness of a spiritual connection with the loving Heavenly Father and a sign of a life submitted to the Master.
Corporate Anointing
Then there is a corporate anointing. This happens when several believers gather together and Christ is in the midst of them, Matthew 18:20. It is common in such a gathering for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be physically felt, even heard and seen as in Acts 1:2,3. The Holy Spirit is there to heal, empower and encourage believers.
There was a revival in Azuza street in early 1906. Word soon travelled around the world. Preachers would come, thinking they were going to make a big name for themselves by preaching at Azuza street. However, the anointing in those meetings was so strong, the moment they set foot inside the door they ended up flat on their face. No one controls the anointing of the Holy Spirit, who will give His glory to none but Himself.
The Cost
However, everything has a cost. Jesus paid the price for our sin that we might have eternal life, John 3:16. In the physical anointings of Jesus valuable flasks were broken open to allow the anointing to flow forth and the perfume fill the room.
God uses people who have known what it is to be broken and prepared to surrender all to the Great I Am who I Am, Exodus 3:14. Through them flows the beautiful anointing of the Holy Spirit. It is only when the veil of our flesh and all its desires are torn, can we enter the intense presence of our Heavenly Father, so that our lives reflect Him.
The Flesh
The flesh is stubborn and self-willed and often harbors a hard heart. God does not look on such vessels with pleasure. Even a casual reading of the Psalms reveals how broken David became. From a humble shepherd boy who used to worship his God on the mountain top, to a broken man who failed his God. He then became a redeemed man with a contrite spirit. David became a man after God’s own heart.
Do not despise the things we go through that brings about our brokenness, for only then can the Holy Spirit have free rein in our life and allow His anointing to freely flow. Remember, the perfume of the beautiful anointing could not fill the house until the expensive container was broken. Whatever Satan deigns to try to destroy us with, God will use for our good, if we have faith in our Saviour. That is the power of the anointing of God.
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